Zahran: "I will not write on Jordanian domestic, foreign affairs any more"

[7/26/2010 12:00:00 AM]

By Banan Malkawi

AMMONNEWS - An uproar of criticism against Mudar Zahran's op-ed entitled "Jordan, Dr. Peace and Mr. Apartheid" published in the Israeli "Jerusalem Post" newspaper on Sunday led the writer to contact 'Ammon News' editor-in-chief to relay his "apologies" to the Jordanian people over claims he made in the op-ed describing Jordan as an "apartheid state" in its treatment of Jordanians of Palestinian heritage.

In a letter sent to 'Ammon News,' Zahran relayed his apologies to the Jordanian people and stressed that he will not repeat this 'mistake.'

"I would like to inform you of the following decision: I have decided to announce today, and after my latest article in The Jerusalem Post, that I will not publish any articles or reports in any language related to Jordanian domestic or foreign affairs," he wrote in his letter.

"This decision comes because of I have sensed clearly that my articles are being misunderstood and exploited by some against my precious country whether by ill intention or misunderstanding," he said.

He expressed that the reaction to his articles have made him feel the "harm that befalls the interest of the country and its people" when some misunderstand and misinterpret his articles.

He stressed that his writings have cost him a lot on a family level, as he notes that he has been put under intense pressure from his father, Adnan Zahran, who threatened to cut relations with Zahran if the latter wrote anything else, and considered that Zahran's continuation of writing would be considered "ingratitude" on a personal level against his father, and an "ungratefulness" towards the country.

Along with his letter to ‘Ammon News,’ Zahran attached a letter he received from his father in which Zahran Senior chastises his son for his writings, which the father considers "far from truth and reality."

"Myself and your family distance ourselves from what you wrote and what you write.. We find that you have went far from the truth and reality, furthermore, you have revealed that you do know the extent of the historical and everlasting relationship between members of the one [Jordanian] people in all its origins, especially the children of the East Bank and the West Bank," Adnan Zahran wrote to his son. (Article continues below)

In 13 points, Zahran Sr. highlights to his son domestic and regional dynamics that constitute the core of the relations and threats his son attempted to analyze in his "Jerusalem Post" article.

Zahran Sr. explained the extent to which eminent threats are confronting Jordan from neighboring countries, both Arab and Israeli, stressing that Jordan must defend itself by all means necessary against such threats.

He asks his son to "look at the desolate conditions which Palestinians in Lebanon and Syria experience, they are deprived of all means of livelihood whereas here we are enjoying a dignified and free living."

"We here are undoubtedly enjoying all our rights before the law, not out of favor towards us, but because Jordan is a country of institutions built by late King Hussein, and King Abdullah is following his steps.. How many high level officials were tried in court and got what they deserved without consideration of their tribal affiliation or wealth, because "Jordan is First."

Zahran Sr. notes that despite the Wadi Araba peace treaty with Israel, Israel and its leaders still insist that Jordan is Palestine and are calling for forced transfer of Palestinians to Jordan.

Furthermore, Zahran Sr. notes, despite all the international conventions and agreements, Israel still refuses to agree on Jordan's right to build a nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes.

"So do we consider that Israel is in a state of peace with Jordan?" the father questions.

1
Yazan Al-Majali
7/27/2010 8:15:18 AM

I dont understand how this man can write a letter to Ammon news claiming that he now understand what he wrote was wrong.surely he should of known this before sending to the the Jerusalem post. Furthermore if his intention was not to harm Jordan why did he not send his articles to Arab press.he is talking bull** and will always remain talking bull***

2
nehad ismail - London
7/29/2010 6:54:04 PM

I believe the damage is done no matter what Mr. Zahran says now.I agree with Yazan. Mr. Zahran is wrong. South Africa was an apartheid state. Israel is an apartheid state and you can ask Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu who visited the occupied territories and said on the BBC 29.4.2002 "This is worse than South Africa". He said similar things in lectures in 2007 and 2008 after visiting Gaza. The Arch Bishop of South Africa knows what he is talking about as he lived through apartheid and struggled against. Mudar Zahran does not.

3
Ali
8/2/2010 12:00:57 AM

I think Zahran is a double agent now! He might be working for Israel and...
Good luck boy!

4
ROBN
8/7/2010 5:31:25 PM

MR. ZAHRAN'S CLAIM THAT IT WAS A MISTAKE IS YET ANOTHER INSULT FOR ALL OF US. HE IS ,AGAIN, MOCKING OUR ABILITIES TO SENSE THE DELIBERATE AND PREMEDITATED MALICE INTENTIONS TO CREATE HOSTILITIES. HE WAS ONLY FORCED TO DENOUNCE HIS ARTICLE BECAUSE OF HIS FATHER'S STEPPING UP. AN ADVICE TO THE JERUSALEM POST...>>>>IT SEEMS THAT YOU ARE BACKING SUCH WICKEDNESS!! SORRY BUT YOU ARE BEING ADDED TO MY BOYCOTTING LIST ..